London Irish kept their faint hopes of a play-off place alive with a last minute Steffon Armitage try at the Reebok Stadium. For Sale Sharks it was a tale of what could have been, not only missing out on a losing bonus point but squandering opportunities to win the contest.
With all the talk pre-match surrounding a prospective move to Toulon for the 25-year old Armitage it was his last minute effort from a catch and drive that moves Irish to within four points of the Northampton Saints.
The game saw the home ground of Bolton Wanderers become the 30th ground to host a Premiership Rugby game and a crowd in excess of 16,000 were not left disappointed.
The London Irish outfit, not unfamiliar to the surroundings of a modern day football stadium, found themselves in desperate need of a win given Saints victory on Friday evening along with Gloucester’s draw at Welford Road earlier in the day.
With this, they wasted no time in making their intentions felt and led at half time by three tries to none.
Toby Booth’s Irish had the luxury of welcoming lock Bob Casey back from injury, along with prop Alex Corbisiero making his first start since the Six Nations.
It was in the forwards and the lineout in particular that the Reading based side dominated, David Paice’s try after half an hour exemplifying this.
Free-running Topsy Ojo however opened the scoring after 13 minutes, his anticipation allowing him to intercept and coast in untouched from 40 metres.
The opening ten minutes had seen kickers Charlie Hodgson and Tom Homer both miss efforts at goal, Hodgson atoning for his misjudgement on 24 minutes.
England U-20 international Homer soon reinstated his sides seven point lead however from in front of the posts.
David Paice’s third try in as many games was added to two minutes from half time, a mesmerising Dan Bowden run unlocking the Sharks defence.
The Sharks, playing at the Reebok as they look to extend the Sale brand within the region, came out for the second half with the score 24-3 and the bit firmly between their teeth.
London Irish looked to prevent any build in momentum for the hosts through a long range Tom Homer effort as he extended the lead to three converted tries.
This however did not deter a side who had clearly been given a few choice words by Director of Sport Steve Diamond during the break.
Sisa Koyamaibole came within inches of scoring 13 minutes into the second stanza only to drop the ball over the whitewash.
Sale’s sustained pressure inside the visitors territory continued, Sean Cox showing Koyamaibole how to finish around the fringes an hour in.
A second try was added within two minutes, Wale Lewaravu galloping down the right wing after Neil Briggs’ perfectly timed pass released the lock to finish in the corner.
Another Tom Homer shot at goal looked to stretch the deficit to beyond a converted try ten minutes from time, the effort wide of the mark.
As the game drew to its climax the Edgeley Park residents had appeared to have successfully secured themselves a bonus point as they continue in their attempts to assure their Premiership status.
Their hopes of leaving Bolton with this point were dashed however, Dan Bowden’s drilled kick into the corner from half way setting up the attacking platform from which Irish and Armitage snatched the fourth try.
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